The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-16
AT THE SWORDS POINT.

Two Young Actresses Whose Jealousy
Led 1 hem Into Duel With Rapiers.
MItcatlkee Dispatch to Cincinnati Enquirer.
For some time one of the crazes of certain
social circles of New York city has been
that of fencing with rapiers. One of the
teachers of the manly art is Prot. Andre
Berneau, whose classroom is on Eighth,
near Fifth avenue. This room is often
crowded with the bon ton from as far out
as Harlem Heights. 1t is fine, healthy sport,
and no prettier picture could be desired than
to see a score or more of handsome young
ladies Invested of all superfluous wearin z
apparel and each provided with blue ba5ed
foil and fencing with all her might
Among the many acquaintance formed
here was that of Miss Emma Hagger, of
"A Tin Soldier company, and Miss Nannett
Comstock, also member of the profession
These young ladies took fencing lessons to-
gether, called on each other, and in time be-
came the most intimate friends. At the
commencement of the season Miss Hagger
went with IA Tin Soldier" company, and
at her earnest solicitation Miss Comstock
was also signed, and finally became the
under-study for all of the prominent female
parts.
During the San Francisco engagement
Miss Comstock went on as Carrie Story the
role of Miss Hagger, and made tremendous
hit. The floral offerings were so many that
she could not receive them all over the foot
lights And the following morning, when
the daily papers contained the most flatter-
ing criticisms of the acting of Miss Com
stock, her dear friend Miss Hagger refused
to speak to her in the dining room of the
hotel Mutual friends smoothed the affair
over, however. During the Milwaukee en-
gagement Miss Comstock again appeared in
the role of Carrie Story and at each perform
ance here it was observed that IA tall rather
distinguished gentleman occupied box at
every performance and was the donor of a
basket of rare flowers to Miss Comstock.
Friday evening Miss Hagger appeared,
but it was observed that the gentleman was
absent, and that she was not the recipient
of any of the pretty blooms that had graced
the dressing-room of Miss Comstock during
the commencement of the week.
The affair reached a comically entertain
ing crisis Saturday evening, when Miss
Hagger approached Manager Mckee, and,
after intimating that she would brook
rivalry from no one, insisted that her en-
gagement with the company close Sunday
night. Mckee could do nothing but accept
her resignation. AT the same time he tele
graphed Mr. j. V. Cook to put the name of
Miss Comstock on the cast instead of that
of Miss Hagger. After the performance
Sunday evening the members of the COM
pany went to the Plankinton House. They
had to leave on the O'Clock train in the
morning to reach Indianapolis, where they
were to play that week. When train time
came on Miss Comstock could not be found in
her room Finally, while some one was pass
ing the apartment of Miss Hagger, the sound
of clashing steel, hurried footballs, heavy
breathing and excited and angry exclama-
tons was heard.
Suspecting that all was not right Mr.
Mckee broke into the room, and, to his
surprise, found the ladies engaged in a duel
with rapiers. When they were separated
Miss Hagger had sustained a cut in the
right hand and Miss Comstock's wrist was
strained When interviewed about the
matter both young ladies refused to say
what the immediate cause of the difficulty
was, but it is the opinion of the members of
the company that it was the gentleman in
the affair, already intensified by rivalry.
that led to this almost tragic settlement of
the misunderstanding. Both ladies stand
we'll in the profession. Miss Hagger lives
in Jersey City at present, but is a Southern
lady, and of Spanish extraction, being the
niece of Miss Adelaide Randall, the we'll
known prima donna. Miss Comstock has
been on the stage but a few seasons but she
has talent and beauty and will make her
mark. The immediate friends of the two
girls are doing all they can to quiet the
laughable affair